The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia’s District of Chora and specifically, the Parish of the Transfiguration of the Saviour in Thomastown, organised an ANZAC Dawn Service with the support of The Battle of Crete & Greece Commemorative Council on Sunday, April 27 at 6am at the Greek-Australian Memorial of the Northern Suburbs.
ANZAC Day commemorates the Australian and New Zealand soldiers who fought and died in World War I, particularly at the Battle of Gallipoli in 1915.
The landing at Gallipoli was one of the first major military operations of the ANZACs. Greece played a crucial role in the war as an ally of Australia and New Zealand, providing military and strategic support.
Relations between Greek and Australian troops were strengthened through shared sacrifices and military cooperation, particularly later in the Battle of Crete during World War II.
The event began with a Memorial Prayer for the fallen by His Grace Bishop of Evmenios of Chora, assisted by Rev. Father George Frangos. His Grace conveyed the heartfelt wishes of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, while he also read his message for ANZAC Day.
The guests were welcomed by Master of Ceremonies, Loukia Andreou from Aetolian College, while an address was also given by the President of the Intercommunities Council of Victoria, Tony Tsourdalakis.
The ceremony was also attended by the Greek Military Guard with Dimitris Anagnostou and Mr. Giorgos Kyprio.
Aetolian College students Andriana Neroupos and Andriana Menikos from the Reservoir campus recited poems about the ANZACs.
Wreaths were laid by: His Grace Bishop Evmenios of Chora, accompanied by the Rev. Father George Frangos, the Federal Minister for Skills & Training, Andrew Giles, the State Minister for Resources, Energy and Climate Change, Lily D’Ambrosio, the State MP for Thomastown, Bronwyn Halfpenny, the City Councillor and former Mayor of Whittlesea, Laurie Cox, the President of the Intercommunities Council of Victoria, Tony Tsourdalakis, the President of the Whittlesea Greek Community, Chris Pavlidou, the President of the Battle of Crete & Greece Commemorative Council, Natasha Spanos, the Principal of St John’s College, Andrew Ponsford, the President of the Hellenic Women’s Federation Mary Lalios, the President of the Cypriot Community of the Northern Suburbs Yiannis Christou, the Secretary of the Union of Military Reservists and Veterans George Lambrou, the Director of the Pegasus Dance School Sotiris Sotiriou, and a student from the Aetolian College.
In the ceremonial part of the event the Ode was recited in English and Greek by the leaders of the student body of St John’s College, Daniel Bridgeman and Angeliki Tsiounis, while the Byzantine Choir of the College sang the National Anthems of Greece and Australia. After the ceremony, all those present went to the church for the Liturgy.
